Jane Perrone's organic gardening blog

February 01, 2008

Stop press: birthday worms

My birthday present turned up a few days early: a worm composting kit, but not just any worm composting kit: the Can-O-Worms with its superior tray system for easy compost production (yes, I suspect such language indicates I am turning into the Jeremy Clarkson of the composting world - shudder).

I guess for some this would be an eccentric gift but it's absolutely spot on for me. I have wanted a wormery for years and have only been held back by - well, I am not quite sure what has been holding me back other than the expense and hassle of setting it up. The setup took about five minutes, and it cost about the same as a slap-up birthday meal - and I know I am going to get a huge amount of pleasure from observing the worms at work, as well as the benefits of the resulting compost and liquid feed.

Like any blogger worth her salt, I shall be blogging my photos of the whole Can-O-Worms setup experience, once I have got the camera cable from the nursery when the baby's awake.

And my first question for any experienced worm composters out there - how strictly do I have to follow the no citrus rule? Presumably the occasional stray satsuma segment won't hurt?

Our worms - two standard-size garden compost bins, which were started going, carefully enough, a few years ago, now get pretty much everything that rots flung in: from socks to mouldy lemons to the consequences of domestic biohazard incidents. Now and again I add paper from the office shredder and stir it all around a bit. Every winter I get a bit panicky and think I've done for the poor creatures; every spring they spring back and process the lot. The benign climate of County Cork probably helps, but letting them get on with it has worked for us.

Here in Devon our worms thrive with regular helpings of citrus peel,banana peel and veg waste-we have 4 garden compost bins and at times we often find great bundles of hundreds of worms together at the top of the compost bins so therefore I presume citrus peel is harmless for worms

I too am tempted to get a Can-O-Worms wormery, but am put off by the expense. Hopefully dropping enough hints to the man, I shall be getting one for Valentines day? Would be a change from flowers :) Hope you enjoy yours and will definitely visit again to see your updates on your wormery. I need to learn too!

It's not cheap, no - perhaps something to ask friends and family to club together and buy you? You can also construct your own wormery and simply buy in the worms (they are different from the earthworms in your garden), which is a lot cheaper, and there are some useful instructions here: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Worm-Compost-System

Happy Birthday! I think you have the best wormery in existence in the Can O Worms. I have an original wormery but I don't think it's as good, being just a plastic bucket which tends to get full of liquid if you don't drain it regularly. I'm a little concerned my worms have perished over winter actually... hope you have more luck!

Worms don't have teeth so they can struggle with the peel of citrus as it tends to shrivel-up rather than break down. I do find the trays heavy to empty so be mindful of your back and make sure you keep adding the carbon rich stuff to balance it all.I recommend getting the rain-cap and plenty of the anti-acid mix if you're adding lots of fruit pulp etc.Now you just have to think of lots of names for them.

I am really pleased to post my comment on this blog . It helped me with ocean of knowledge so I really belive you will do much better in the future . Good job web master .
http://www.shredderwarehouse.com

10 years ago I purchased a Can O Worm kit in NZ. Soon after our arrival back in Sidmouth we purchased from yo some tiger worms. We have been composting all these years but since I placed the wormery in our garage the compost that is produced is like wet mud. Why is this? Please Help.